Resources, News and Education for Podcasters

A Story of a Successful Daily Jewish Podcast: The 5-Minute Daf Yomi podcast

The 5-Minute Daf Yomi podcast with Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld is a daily show that’s recently achieved 100,000 downloads. Rabbi Herzfeld has published more than 700 straight episodes of the podcast, which provides commentary and insight into a page of the Talmud in around five minutes. These concise spiritual lessons have been popular with listeners around the world. Rabbi Herzfeld’s podcast was recently featured in a Jewish community newspaper, which shared stories of the many ways the Rabbi has spread Jewish teachings over the years and how podcasting is extending that.

Read more to learn how podcasting can be a simple and fruitful way to share a spiritual message. Interview with Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld:

Why did you decide to start a podcast?

I started to do a podcast because I found that not enough people in our congregation were able to attend my daily Talmud class. I originally started it so that I could share one short spiritual teaching with our congregation on a daily basis.

Was starting a podcast easy for you?

I am technologically inept so I was very skeptical about being able to do a podcast. I thought it would take me hours of extra work and that I wouldn’t have the resources to do it. I was shocked at how easy it was for me to record a podcast using the Podbean app. Basically I just use my smartphone and speak into it and then upload it. It’s so simple.

What have you discovered since having a podcast, or what’s surprised you?

When I started I was shocked at how many people listened. The Talmud is a very esoteric text and I use a lot of technical terms but clearly there are fans of the podcast. This gratifies me because I believe the message of the Talmud is a pure spiritual message worthy to share with people.

I am always surprised when strangers tell me that they hear my podcast. One time a lawyer actually cited one of my podcasts as part of a legal proceeding. I got a kick out of it.

But my favorite times are when my children listen to it and cite it back to me.

What tools have you used to promote your podcast?

The only promoting of the podcast that I have done is that I use it as my signature in my email and I post every episode on my Facebook account. (Podbean has auto share options that make social media easy!)

What’s in the future for your podcast?

There are over 2700 pages of the Talmud and it is my goal to do a show for each of the pages. I have less than 2000 episodes to go!

When I am recording the podcast I feel that I am not only making an episode for people today but also a teaching for my children’s children and future generations.

What one thing would you tell someone thinking about starting a podcast?

To all those who think they have a compelling message to share I suggest you don’t worry about how many listeners you will have, just be true to your message!

5-Minute Daf Yomi with Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld can be found on Podbean. Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld of Ohev Sholom – The National Synagogue provides commentary and insight into the daily Daf (a page of Talmud studied around the world), offering spiritual lessons from the Torah and Jewish tradition.

In our continuing series about non-profit podcasting, we hear from Peterson Toscano, host of Citizens’ Climate Radio. The podcast is a combination of training and information about the advocacy work of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. They’ve seen the benefits in encouraging and connecting with their advocates all over the world through their podcast.

Case Study in Non-Profit Podcasting: Connecting Advocates

1. Why did your non-profit organization decide to start podcasting? Were you familiar with other advocacy organizations producing podcasts?

Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) realized that in addition to the training audio and video we offered, people needed something different in order to encourage them in the hard work of climate advocacy. We have members all over North America and around the world. Some feel isolated and discouraged. The purpose of the show is to give them a shot in the arm while also reinforcing our organizational identity. We also know there are new members coming in all the time, so we wanted them to understand the tone and the approach of the organization. We felt the podcast would be a helpful tool to do this on a regular basis.

I think up until we tried it, we did not know of organization podcasts, just personal ones or podcasts around topics. I had been a volunteer with the organization and was producing and hosting another podcast, Climate Stew. Some of the leaders at CCL heard my show and approached me if I would do one like it for the organization.

2. What is your primary objective with podcasting?

To encourage climate advocates while also educating them on communication tactics. We also wish to reinforce the organization’s personality and approach and highlight successes.

3. What benefits have you seen?

This is hard to say. Anecdotally many people come up to me at our regional and the international meetings to say how helpful the podcast is for them. They get fresh ideas and are encouraged in their work. The podcast also serves as an outreach tool for perspective volunteers. People who have nothing to do with CCL are finding the podcast on social media and in searches and have started listening.

5. Any challenges you’ve found in podcasting, or future changes/goals?

Since our channel is a hybrid of both teaching audio and the podcast, I am sure there are people who subscribe to the podcast but don’t want to hear all that other audio. We might look at ways to be able to keep it on the channel while being able to have people subscribe just to the podcast.

Advocacy organizations thrive by educating and empowering their members/consumers. Non-profit podcasting is a great way to get messaging out to consumers efficiently. Advocacy organizations may offer news/updates, advocacy training, and an array of educational content in their podcasts. As demonstrated by Citizen’s Climate Lobby, a podcast can be a great rallying tool for advocates and way to keep members connected.

Podcasting can be a wonderful communications solution for non-profit and cause-based organizations. Some non-profit organizations use a podcast to communicate advocacy information to members/supporters. Others may repurpose educational and informational content to reach a wider audience. The audio format is a great way to increase engagement and spread your organization’s message further.

Podcasting represents a great ability to project beyond our geographic boundaries for our events and webinars. We see podcasting as a quick-form and effective way of engaging with audiences, at a time and place of their choosing. It seems like more and more organizations have been getting into the podcasting space.

2. What is your primary objective with podcasting?

Sharing our knowledge with new audiences, in ways that work for them.

3. What benefits has your non-profit organization experienced from podcasting?

Podcasting has significantly amplified our reach, and represents an effective way of identifying new audiences.

5. Have you run across any challenges? Do you have future goals for podcasting for your organization?

Non-profit organizations benefit from having a strong communications strategy, to interact with supporters and donors, educate consumers and raise awareness. A podcast is an engaging solution to enhance your non-profit’s communications plan.

Organizations can benefit from podcasting in many ways. One great example is the ability to reach a wider audience and further the organization’s outreach all across the world. Read more below about how one organization has benefited from their widely popular video podcast.

The Culinary Institute of America is a premier culinary college. John Barkley is their Director of Strategic Initiatives, Digital Media. He shared his thoughts on why the organization uses podcasting and how it’s contributed to their objectives.

Why did your organization decide to start podcasting?

As the world’s premier culinary college, a non-profit educational institution, one of our core initiatives is documenting and preserving world cuisines. We started this free video podcast, “Video from The Culinary Institute of America”, as a way to extend our documentaries on global cuisines to a larger audience outside of the CIA classrooms.

What is your primary objective with podcasting?

To share knowledge about food and cooking with future generations of chefs and food enthusiasts.

What benefits have you seen?

It’s great having the exposure we get through Podbean and iTunes. We are reaching an audience that we might never connect with via our traditional e-learning channels.

Have there been any particular features of Podbean that have made it easy for you to implement?

The interface and scheduling aspects of Podbean are easy to use and make podcast publishing simple.

Any challenges you’ve found in podcasting? What future changes or goals do you anticipate?

One of the challenges with maintaining a huge library of video podcast content, is the data storage requirements. In addition, scaling up for the future of 4K video podcasting will bring added data storage requirements and require flexible and affordable cloud-based systems like Podbean.

Organizations like CIA are using podcasts to find new audiences and further their outreach. There are so many creative ways your organization can use podcasting. Podcasting is one of the most accessible mediums, and Podbean makes it easy and affordable. Podcasting can help you reach a wider audience, tell your story in a new way, and reach (and exceed) your goals.

Small Audiences And Their Massive Rewards with Stacey Taylor

Sorry, we’re a bit behind on posting the Podcasting Smarter episodes here on the blog. If you want to keep up with the latest, visit the Podcasting Smarter page or check it out on the Podbean app or podcasting app of your choice.

On this episode of Podcasting Smarter, we interviewed Stacey Taylor, a veteran podcaster from Birmingham, England who started podcasting back in 2007 when she worked at the world’s most boring job. She is the host of Stacey’s Pop Culture Parlour and Podcast On A Half Shell where she talks nerdy about comics, films, TV shows, books, video games, and of course the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Hopefully you’ll find this episode to be as fun as we did!

Stacey’s Podcasting Smarter Tips:

Don’t be surprised when people care about what you have to say. When Stacey’s first podcast came to an end, she thought that was the end of her podcasting until some listeners encouraged her to start another one.

Podcasting helps you find other people who care about the same things you do.

Podcasting has given her the confidence to reach out to her heroes and to really get to know them by inviting them on her podcast.

Stacey enjoys a large social circle of people from all over the world that is a direct result of her podcast.

Listen back to your episodes as a listener without worrying about the stresses of recording and editing. It’s a great way to improve your podcasting skills.

She prefers podcasts with more than one host, but only when they have a chemistry, and don’t talk over top of each other. She wants to feel enthusiasm and passion from podcast hosts.

Know your niche, and carve out your unique space within it.

Stacy has grown her audience by being a guest on other podcasts and tapping into their listeners.

Advice to new podcasters: Don’t expect a bajillion downloads right away or you will set yourself up for failure. Pay attention to and serve your core audience.

She empathises with her guest’s need to feel comfortable. Days before recording, she asks if there is anything they need, or of they have any questions. She also makes sure to prep them thoroughly about the podcast topic and flow, so they can relax and have fun with her.

Prep, prep and more prep for your interviews.

Small audiences can reap massive rewards. A small, but enthusiastic audience can open doors, give you terrific engagement, and a very rewarding podcasting experience.

If You Want Your Podcast To Stand Out, Be Different with Zephan Moses Blaxberg

This week, we’re joined by Zephan Moses Blaxberg. Zephan is the host of The Year Of Purpose Podcast, and the author of the best selling book, Life Re-Scripted. He shares a lot of wisdom about podcasting with a purpose and standing out in a crowd.

Zephan’s Podcasting Smarter Tips:

When he first started, he wanted to interview remarkable people and used a booking service to get his initial guests. Once his show was more established, he started looking for lower profile guests with interesting stories that fit the premise of his show.

Podcasting helped him get comfortable in his own skin by getting accustomed to his voice, and growing an audience.

At his first podcasting conference, with thousand of people in attendance, Zephan knew he wanted to meet a lot of people, and for those people to remember him and his podcast after the conference. So, he purchased hundreds of ear bud wire wraps with his show info printed on them and handed them out at the conference. His guerilla marketing tactics were a huge success.

Use the technique of “Pattern Interrupt” to keep your show from being monotonous, and keep your listeners’ attention.

When starting out, look at what everyone else is doing and approach things differently in order to stand out.

Don’t obsess over downloads. Instead, focus on giving your audience what they want, so they want more.

Strive for joy in the production of your show while staying consistent, and producing quality content. When that joy is gone, it may be time to end your podcast.

As a co-host for several shows, he looks for a 50/50 split in responsibilities as well as a balance in air time on the show for a healthy, long-term working relationship.

Make it easy for people to find and listen to your show. Elijah’s initial audience members were his friends and family. He actually showed them on their phones hwo to subscribe and listen to the show. He also carries business cards for his shows that he can hand out to anyone he meets.

He always asks what his “Perfect Audience Member” wants from his show.

Elijah is active on social media, but pays attention to whether or not those Facebook likes are converting to listeners and subscribers.

Elijah sets 3 month goals for each of his shows. This ensures that he is always making progress and growing his podcast.

A podcaster needs a mindset of determination to get through moments of discouragement.

Go to conferences associated with your podcast content to find and meet great guests for your show.

Elijah’s first step in monetizing his show started by approaching local business and presented compelling stats and competitive advertising rates to get their first sponsors.

The Combined Power of Podcasting & Blogging with Abby Glassenberg

This week on Podcasting Smarter we learn a lot from Abby Glassenberg. Abby is the host of the successful podcast, While She Naps. She is also a creative entrepreneur whose podcast is just one thread of a rich career she has sewn together that includes blogging, writing, sewing, teaching, and design. So impressive!

Abby’s Podcasting Smarter Tips:

Podcasting gives you an excuse to reach out to influencers and industry leaders in your field and connect with them in depth by having a conversation with them on your show.

Curating your guest list is an act of creativity. There is an art to finding a guest that will benefit from being on your podcast as much as your show benefits from their interview.

As a blogger, Abby already had an audience. She didn’t want to make a promise to her audience that she couldn’t keep, so she took the time to plan her podcast and consider the publishing frequency she could maintain in the long-term.

As the content creator, promoting your podcast is entirely your job, not your guests’. Make it easy for them to share the show by providing them with links, and visuals, but don’t get upset if they never do.

To instigate engagement, she asks al her guests to share three things they are enjoying such as books, apps, etc. She then finds social media accounts for the things mentioned and tags them along with a link to the episode to let them know they were recommended on her podcast. What a great idea!

Abby uses the Pocket App and Slack to help her productivity. With Pocket, she can save articles that are interesting to her audience and include them in a weekly newsletter, along with a link to her recent episode. This allows her to provide tons of value without spending a ton of time. SMART!

Once your podcast becomes popular, you will start gettign pitched by potential guests. You need a plan for how you handle it. Since curating her guest list is such an important part of her show, she decided to not take any pitches.

Be patient with sponsorships. Abby waited to pursue sponsors until she was confident in her audience and the stability of her show.

She offers advertisers a lot of value for their sponsorship, and even includes several options for how their ad is delivered. One of those is a two minute interview! Another great idea!

You don’t need a gigantic audience in order to monetize your podcast. After being turned down by MidRoll, Abby handled her own advertising with lots of success.

Podcasting in the Moment: Bruce Langford of the Mindfulness Mode Podcast

Bruce Langford is not only the host of the Mindfulness Mode Podcast, but he is also a life coach and mindfulness counselor. Stay in this moment, because Bruce is going to help us become more calm, focused and intentional podcasters!

Bruce’s Podcasting Smarter Tips:

Three ways podcasters can be more mindful: 1. Meditate daily. 2. Use the power of habit and read the book, Power of Habit. 3. Make it a professional thing, and take it seriously.

Don’t strive for perfection. 80% is usually good enough to get things done, and move on to the next project. Don’t let perfection be your excuse not to launch.

Don’t be afraid to request interviews from big name guests such as best selling authors. Be sure to do a little extra research, so you can approach from a place of knowledge.

Preparation is a way to calm to your mind in times of stress and nervousness. Be prepared, and have back-up plans in place.

What Podcasts Can Learn From Books with the Well-Read Podcast: Season 01 Ep. 5

This week on Podcasting Smarter, we interview Halle from the Well-Read Podcast. Halle and her co-host Ann, are librarians at the Beaufort County Library in South Carolina, and the podcast is an extension of the library’s public outreach programs. These lovable librarians have reached over 150,000 downloads with just 35 episodes. Like a good book, you are going to want to check their show out!

Podcasting Smarter Tips from Halle of The Well-Read Podcast

Co-host chemistry builds over time.

Divide up the show production duties for an equal division of work.

In addition to social media, and newsletters, she promotes the podcast grass roots style when attending community groups, or doing presentations through the library.

When they started, they weren’t many shows doing reading recommendations so that helped them stand out.

To engage their audience, they tweet our what they will be discussing, share book-related news, and connect with authors. All things they think their audience wants to hear.

Podcasts are a great vehicle for community outreach for businesses and organizations.

Coordinating schedules is a challenge for them, so part of their work flow is batching episodes while still allowing time for research.

Like a good book, you need some sort of structure and narrative to your podcast.